Steven Biersteker’s Post

Sustainable architects need to talk like humans... How an argument with my friend got me thinking: ---------------------------------------- I recently had a conversation with a close friend of mine. No surprise - the conversation was all about carbon. It turned into an argument pretty quickly. You've probably been there before, it goes something like this: ---------------------------------------- Me: We really need to decarbonize. Friend: You can't force people to buy electric cars. Me: Well we have to do something to reduce GHG emissions. Friend: I have more important things to worry about. Me: This is actually something really important, for your kids. Friend: I can't think that far ahead. ---------------------------------------- Was there anything wrong in that conversation? No. It's all valid. People are busy, stressed, and focused on other things. They also get frustrated when people say things like: > Decarbonize > GHG reduction > Greener future So what can we do about it? ---------------------------------------- We can talk like humans. This comes from a guide from The Energy Coalition It's all about how to talk about climate change... IN THE RIGHT WAY. Here are some excerpts from the guide. ---------------------------------------- We need to stop saying: > Decarbonization > Net Zero > Carbon Footprint > 1.5 Degrees > Planetary We need to start saying: > Pollution > Overheating > Extreme Weather > Our town Why does changing the way we talk matter? People care about their lives now. Not somebody else's life later. Maybe that's a problem, but it's true. So we need to talk about their lives now. What does that look like? ---------------------------------------- 1. Cleaner vehicles vs getting rid of combustion 2. Healthier lifestyle vs cycling instead of driving 3. Lower operating costs vs Net Zero 2040 This might be controversial, but I want to know what you think. Should we change the way we talk? _______________________ If you like my content give me a follow and hit the bell. I post Monday - Saturday @ 6:15am PST. #architecture #design #engineering #carbon

Being a great architect isn't about: > Making your vision come true > Putting your stamp on the world > Being recognized for your keen eye A great architect looks for: > How to make the clients vision a reality > Ways to inspire society to improve > How to elevate the AEC industry Architects are often viewed as lone wolves. Stars who have personal visions of grandure. Great architecture isn't about that. At it's root, it's about creating spaces for people. Creating spaces that inspire and help people thrive. _______________________ If you like my content give me a follow and hit the bell. I post Monday - Friday @ 6:15am PST. #architecture #design #carbon

Let's talk about aluminium. Here are some of the key carbon stats: - Demand is expected to grow at a rate of 1.3% per year - China accounts for 57% of global production and 67% of total emissions - 81% of emissions from aluminium production is electricity - Roughly 33% of aluminium is produced via recycled scrap - GHG emissions range from 2ton/ton - 18ton/ton of aluminium - Over 90% of alluminum in construciton is recycled From my perspective this is a complicated material. We know it has very high emissions, BUT it's also highly recyclable. No doubt we are using too much of it. WE NEED TO USE LESS. BUT, it's a great material for certain places that can't be denied. One thing is clear. Aluminum from China, Australia, and India should be minimized until their grids green. Sourcing Canadian aluminum can make a 7x difference. Where should we stop using aluminum in our buildings? * stats taken from the 2022 Aluminum Climate Impact Report from Global Efficiencies Intelligence _______________________ If you like my content give me a follow and hit the bell. I post Monday - Friday @ 6:15am PST. #architecture #design #carbon

Who is responsible for carbon emissions? I'll give you a hint. It isn't: > China > Your next-door neighbour > Lightning strikes (believe me I've heard it all) The reality is, it's me... and it's you. Why? Because your decisions impact the world around you. Whether you are an: > Architect > Engineer > Planner > Contractor > Occupant > Material Supplier Your actions are a vote for the world you want to live in. What you do matters, even if it doesn't feel like it. So let's stop blaming somebody over there and start making a change. _______________________ If you like my content give me a follow and hit the bell. I post Monday - Friday @ 6:15am PST. #architecture #design #carbon

Carbon reduction isn't universal, it's local. Don't get me wrong, we all need to reduce carbon... But HOW we do it matters. And the HOW depends on the WHERE. Let's look at a few examples to underline my point. Take cladding as a first example. In Ontario, Canada most new homes are built with brick. It's beautiful, durable, locally available, and culturally expected. In Vancouver, Canada there is a very different story. Most new homes are clad with fiber cement. A few things to think about here: 1 > Cladding doesn't represent a large portion of embodied carbon in a new home 2 > Brick typically has a higher embodied carbon than fiber cement 3 > Regional cladding types matter. Changing them for carbon only wil be difficult In Ontario a good strategy could be finding the right brick. Maybe that's reclaimed, low embodied carbon, or reducing the amount. In Vancouver you may want to focus on a different material. Maybe a wood product or a panelized local product. The regional nuances of materials and systems are critical to an effective strategy. That's why it's so important that every architect change they way they approach design. We all have unique and profound knowledge about different places. That knowledge can help make a difference. We just need to prioritze it. Would love to hear some of your regional strategies! Drop them below in the comments. _______________________ If you like my content give me a follow and hit the bell. I post Monday - Friday @ 6:15am PST. #architecture #design #carbon

One key lesson from every phase of an architects life (so far): Elementary School: Creativity can look like 10 different things. Just because you can’t draw, doesn’t mean you aren’t a creative person and set-out for architecture. High School: Art is a way of thinking that uses meaning and concept to create beautiful things. You aren’t born with it, you can learn it. Bachelor of Architecture: Architecture isn’t art. It’s art, science, technology, history, graphics, engineering, business and so many more things. The endless learning is addictive. Maters of Architecture: Focus on what matters to you and explore what you think Architecture should be and represent. Don’t worry about sally, where you want to go starts here. Intern Architect: Architecture in practice looks nothing like architecture in education. Client is now king. Find the right experience, get exposed to every phase of a project, where do you want to specialize? Junior Architect: The amount of responsibility you have is mostly determined by your willingness to learn, asking for opportunities, and delivering for your clients. Intermediate Architect: Moving from doing the work to overseeing the work is challenging. Find the right people you can trust to do the work that you used to do and coach them. Attract the right projects and clients by specializing. What are some of the lessons you’ve learned along your architecture journey? #architecture #design #architect

Design in isolation is a recipe for disaster. Architecture is a team sport not an individual pursuit. Each person is critical to effective project delivery. One of the most important things to learn is what questions to ask. Who did I miss? _______________________ If you like my content give me a follow and hit the bell. I post Monday - Friday @ 6:15am PST. #architecture #design #coordination

Sketches are static, but buildings are dynamic. What if sketches were dynamic, just like buildings? I love the simple power of a sketch. They convey simple ideas to complex problems They strip away the unnecessary. They focus the view. They speak. In this tech-laden world I often need to remind myself. There is power in drawing. Use it to your advantage. Do you still sketch? _______________________ If you like my content give me a follow and hit the bell. I post Monday - Friday @ 6:15am PST. #architecture #design

Architecture School: 180k Living on campus: 85k Model-making materials: 5k Starting salary: 50k The feeling when you walk in a building you designed? Priceless. There are some things that money can't buy. An architecture education isnt one of them. _______________________ If you like my content give me a follow and hit the bell. I post Monday - Saturday @ 6:15am PST. #architecture #design #education

Should we wrap buildings in curtain wall? The short answer? No. The long answer? Definitely not. Based on research from Ha/f Climate Design (and many others) you can see a significant reduction in envelope performance at the same time as a significant increase in embodied carbon. W1 = 2x6 Timber stud wall w/ brick cladding, PVC windows, 30% WWR W2 = Aluminum curtainwall, 100% WWR Don't get me wrong, there is a place for this amazing product. But wrapping buildings in a low-performance, high-carbon material isn't it. This is just the coles notes. Check out my newsletter next week for a more detailed breakdown. Link in my profile! *graphic based on research by Ha/f Climate Design. _______________________ If you like my content give me a follow and hit the bell. I post Monday - Friday @ 6:15am PST. #architecture #design #carbon